Support pillows with stretch panels

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment, a support pillow comprises a pillow body having a medial region and two opposing arms that form a well region, a first side and a second side. The pillow body further includes an outer periphery and an inner periphery outlining the well region. The pillow body further comprises a fill material and a cover enveloping the fill material. The cover comprises a main section that extends about the first and second sides and the outer periphery, and a center panel coupled to the main section so as to be located along the inner periphery. Also, the center panel is constructed of a stretchable material and has a variable width.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/395,690, filed Mar. 30, 2006, the complete disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of support pillows and, inparticular, to support pillows that are intended to be placed around avariety of differently sized objects. More specifically, the inventionrelates to support pillows that may be manipulated to differentconfigurations and automatically spring back to their original shape.

Over the years, a variety of support pillows have found commercialacceptance. Once exemplary support pillow is the Boppy® pillow, marketedby The Boppy Company. Various forms of this pillow are described in U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,261,134, 5,546,620, 5,661,861, and 6,055,657, among others.The complete disclosures of these patents are incorporated herein byreference.

Another exemplary pillow is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,412,128, whichis incorporated herein by reference. Such a pillow includes a cover withan inner strip of material which permits the arms to be separatedwithout tearing or damaging the cover. This invention provides variousimprovements to similar types of support pillows, permitting convenientseparation of the arms while allowing them to spring back to theirstarting position.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides various support pillows that are useful withdifferent sized adults as well as with babies. In one embodiment, such apillow is constructed of a pillow body having a medial region and twoopposing arms that form an open well region. The pillow body may also bedefined in terms of first and second sides, an outer periphery, and aninner periphery outlining the well region. The pillow body is furtherconstructed of a cover which holds a fill material. The cover isconstructed of a main section that extends about the first and secondsides and the outer periphery. Also, a center panel is coupled to themain section and lies along the inner periphery. In one embodiment, thecenter panel may be constructed of a stretchable material that permitsthe arms to be separated from each other by a wide degree and thenspring back to their original position. In this way, the support pillowmay be manipulated to be placed about the waist or torso of an adult orlarger individual without permanently distorting or altering the shapeof the pillow. Further, after use, the arms spring back to theiroriginal position so that the pillow may subsequently be used to supporta baby while sitting, among other uses.

In another aspect, the pillow body may be constructed such that thewidth of the center panel is greater at the medial region than along thearms. This configuration is also useful in permitting the arms to beseparated and then to spring back. In one aspect, the width of thecenter panel at the medial region is in the range from about 2.5 inchesto about 7.5 inches. The width of the center panel may be in the rangefrom about 1 inch to about 3.5 inches along the arms. Further the lengthof the center panel may be in the range from about 20 inches to about 28inches.

In one particular arrangement, the main section may be constructed of apair of fabric pieces that are sewn together at the outer periphery. Thecenter panel may be sewn to the fabric pieces at the inner periphery.

The center panel may be constructed of a variety of stretchable fabrics.Stretchable fabrics that may be used include two-way and four-waystretchable fabrics, such as those sold under the trade name LYCRA.Other stretchable materials include stretchable twills, stretchablecottons, and the like.

In some embodiments, the well region may have a diameter in the rangefrom about 4 inches to about 12 inches when the ends of the arms aretouching. Also, the center panel permits the arms to be separated to theextent that the pillow body is generally straight. When released, thearms come to within at least about 8 inches of each other. Also, thecenter panel permits the arms to be separated so as to be at leastperpendicular to the medial region with essentially no buckling of thecover at the medial region.

The support pillows may have a wide variety of uses. For example, theymay be placed about the waist or torso of an adult and used to supportan item, such as a baby when feeding. The pillows may also be used tosupport a baby when sitting by placing the baby in the open well. Otheruses are possible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a support pillowhaving a stretch panel according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the pillow of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the pillow of FIG. 2 taken alonglines 3-3.

FIG. 4 illustrates the stretch panel of the pillow of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 5-9 illustrate alternative stretch panels that may be used withsupport pillows or removable slip covers according to the invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates the pillow of FIG. 1 used when nursing.

FIG. 11 illustrates the pillow of FIG. 1 used when feeding a baby.

FIG. 12 illustrates the pillow of FIG. 1 when supporting a baby.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides various support pillows that are constructed of amedial region and two opposing arms that may be widely separated fromeach other without damaging or permanently distorting the pillow. Whenthe arms are released, they spring back to their original position. Thispermits the pillow to be placed about large objects, with the armstensioned against the object, yet not uncomfortably. For example, whenthe ends of the arms are separated enough to be placed about the torsoof an average sized adult, the inward force produced by each arm issufficient to hold the pillow in place about the torso, yet not so tightthat it is uncomfortable. Further, when the pillow clings about arelatively large object, the medial region does not buckle, but keepsits shape. When removed, the pillow's resilience permits it to springback to its original shape, typically with the ends being separated byabout 8 inches or less, and in some cases about 4 inches or less and inother cases about 2 inches or less.

To construct the pillow, a cover is used to surround a fill material.Also, the cover includes a stretch panel or central panel surroundingthe open well. Optionally, the cover may be enveloped by a slip coverwhich may be constructed in the same manner as the cover of the pillow,or may be constructed without a stretch panel. Examples of slip coverswhich may be used, or which may be modified to include a stretch panelare described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,453,493, 6,625,828, 6,851,143, and7,000,274, which are incorporated herein by reference.

The fill material used to make the pillow may be such that the pillow isrelatively firm when filled, particularly so that the pillow will notsignificantly deflect under the weight of a baby. Examples of materialsthat may be used include polyester fibers, foamed materials, and thelike. One method for filling the cover with a fill material is describedin co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/769007, filed Jan. 29,2004, which is incorporated herein by reference.

The cover may be constructed of a main portion using one or more piecesof a generally non-stretchable fabric and a stretch or center panel atthe inner periphery of the pillow. The overall shape of the pillow maybe similar to those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,261,134, 5,661,861,5,546,620 and 6,055,687, which are incorporated herein by reference. Themain portion of the cover may, in some cases, be constructed of twopieces of material which are sewn to each other, with the stretch panelbeing sewn to the main portion, although other coupling techniques maybe used, such as by using a fabric glue. One technique for attaching acenter piece of material to a cover is also described in U.S. Pat. No.6,412,128, which is incorporated herein by reference. Thenon-stretchable material used to construct the main portion of the covermay be a fabric, such as cotton, polyester, velvet, and the like. Suchnon-stretchable fabrics permit the pillow to be firmly stuffed with fillmaterials. When stuffed in this manner, the pillows are able to maintaintheir shape for extended time periods. Such fabrics also provide anaesthetically pleasing surface.

The support pillows of the invention may find use with a variety ofapplications where the arms are manipulated to be placed around anobject. Merely by way of example, such applications may includeplacement about a torso to facilitate nursing, the holding of an object,such as a book, a toy, food, or the like, to function as a back support,or the like. The support pillows of the invention may also find use withthe applications described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,661,861, 5,546,620,5,261,134, and 6,055,687, previously incorporated herein by reference.

The center panel may be configured in a variety of ways in order topermit the arms to be separated and then spring back. One way is bymaking the center panel of a stretchable material while the rest of thecover is non-stretchable. Another way is through the shape of the centerpanel which may be wider at the medial region than it is along the arms.In some cases, both techniques may be used together so that the centerpanel is both stretchable and has a wide portion at the medial region.The width of the medial region may be critical in ensuring that thepillow arms may be widely separated while still providing sufficientspring in the arms so that they can cling about an object and also moveback to their original position.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, one embodiment of a support pillow 10 willbe described. Pillow 10 may be constructed to have an overall shape andfeel that are similar to the support pillows described in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,661,861, 5,546,620, 5,261,134 and 6,055,687, previously incorporatedherein by reference. However, the invention is not intended to belimited to only such support pillows, but may be used with essentiallyany type of pillow having two arms that may be separated from eachother. Support pillow 10 includes a curved outer surface or periphery 12which is rounded in both a longitudinal and a lateral direction to forman outer periphery. Support pillow 10 further includes a curved centralinner surface or periphery 14 which defines a rounded, generallycircular, curved or elliptical well region 16. While the body of thesupport pillow 10 is substantially continuous and uniform, with curvedsurfaces 12 and 14 also being continuous, it is convenient to considerthe pillow body as having a medial region 15 and two opposing arms 18and 20. The arms 18 and 20 extend in opposite directions away from themedial region 15, but are curved towards one another to give the pillow10 its overall curved configuration. While the continuous structure doesnot provide a precise or exact division between the medial region 15 andeach arm, considering the body of the pillow in view of these componentsfacilitates a description of the structure and function of the pillow10.

Arms 18 and 20 include respective blunt ends 22 and 24, positionedremotely of the medial region 15. Support pillow 10 is proportioned sothat ends 22 and 24 normally, i.e., when not under external stress,touch or are slightly separated from each another, typically withinabout 8 inches, usually within about 4 inches and in some cases withinabout 2 inches of each other. However, ends 22 and 24 do not exertsubstantial pressure against each other, if touching. Pillow 10 has abilateral symmetry with respect to a central plane which passesvertically through medial region 15. Pillow 10 is also symmetrical abouta mid-plane which horizontally bisects the pillow body.

Well region 16 has a width W (see FIG. 2). The width W is selected topermit the support pillow to fit “snug” around the torso or waist ofmost users, especially babies. The pillow 10 is also constructed so thatthe arms 18 and 20 may be moved away from each other to vary the width Wso that the pillow 10 may be used in a variety of applications,including larger sized adults.

Referring to FIG. 3, pillow 10 includes a central core 30 which may beconstructed of a fill material, such as a hypoallergenic polyesterfilling. The central core 30 is encased by a cover 34. The majority ofcover 34 is constructed of a material that is compliant while generallynot stretchable. Examples of such fabrics include cotton, polyesters orother pliant conforming fabrics. The fill material is firmly and tightlypacked into cover 34, such that the core 30 and cover 34 togetherprovide a self-supporting pillow body, i.e., the support pillow 10retains its shape without any sagging or drooping of arms 18 and 20 whenheld at the medial region 15. The tightly packed fill material formingcore 30 also provides the pillow with firmness in the sense that it willundergo only slight elastic deformation (as compared to a conventionalpillow) when an object (such as a persons' arms or elbows) is rested onthe arms 18 and 20 or medial region 15. Other fill materials that couldbe used include natural or synthetic fibers, synthetic beads, feathers,foam, and organic granular fill materials such as husks and seeds andthe like.

In the embodiments shown, cover 34 is formed of three pieces of fabric:a top piece 40 (which forms a top surface), a bottom piece 42 (whichforms a bottom surface), and a center panel 44. Top piece 40 and bottompiece 42 are sewn together at the outer perimeter to form a seam 46 (seeFIG. 3). Although shown with top piece 40 and bottom piece 42, it willbe appreciated that a single piece of fabric Or multiple pieces) may beused to cover the top and bottom of the pillow. Sewn to top piece 40 andbottom piece 42 is center panel 44. In this way, center panel 44surrounds the inner well 14 and eliminates a seam running along themid-plane. Although the pieces may be sewn together, other techniquesmay also be used, such as by using glue, staples, snaps and the like.Center panel 44 permits arms 18 and 20 to be separated without tearingor bunching of the fabric that is adjacent the inner well 14. Further,the configuration the center panel 44 makes the pillow sufficientlyresilient to spring arms 18 and 20 back to their original shape. Also,the center panel 44 is configured to provide a sufficient inward forceon arms 18 and 20 so that they securely hold pillow 10 about an object,without being uncomfortable.

Center panel 44 may be constructed in a variety of ways to provide suchfeatures. One way is the material used for the center panel 44. Morespecifically, center panel 44 may be constructed of a stretchablematerial while the rest of cover 34 is formed of a generallynon-stretchable material. For example, the stretchable material maycomprise a two-way stretch material, a four-way stretch material, astretch twill, a stretch cotton and the like. Two and four way stretchmaterials include those sold under the trade name LYCRA. Examples ofmaterials that may be used for top piece 40 and bottom piece 42 includecotton fabrics, polyester fabrics, cotton/poly blends and the like. Byusing a non-stretchable material for the top piece 40 and bottom piece42, various conventional fabrics may be used to provide a comfortable,decorative and aesthetically pleasing surface. At the same time, thestretchable material used for center piece 44 allows arms 18 and 20 tobe extended as previously described. In some cases, it will beappreciated that top piece 40 and bottom piece 42 could also beconstructed of a stretchable material.

The stretchable material used for center piece 44 may be configured tostretch by an amount in the range from about 15% to about 40%, and insome cases from about 20% to about 35%. Some exemplary fabrics are twoway stretch fabrics that stretch about 25% and a four way stretch fabricthat stretches about 32%.

The center piece 44 may be provided in essentially any color, such asnude, white, cream, pale pink and the like. Optionally, a lace overlaymay be provided for decoration.

Another way to provide the functions described herein is through theshape of center panel 44. In one embodiment, center panel 44 has twoends 50 and 52 and a center section 54. Center panel 44 increases inwidth from ends 50 and 52 toward center section 54. The increase inwidth may be in the range from about 0.5 inches to about 7 inches.

FIG. 4 FIG. 4 illustrates center piece 44 separate from the cover.Center piece 44 may have a width at ends 50 and 52 that is in the rangefrom about 1 inch to about 3.5 inches, and in some cases about 1 inch.The length of center piece 44 is about in the range from about 20 inchesto about 28 inches, and in some cases about 26.5 inches. The width ofcenter piece 44 at center section 54 may be in the range from about 2.5inches to about 7.5 inches, and in some cases about 4.5 inches to about5.5 inches. Also, the width of center piece 44 may begin to increasewithin about 4 inches to about 9 inches of ends 50 and 52 and in somecases within about 6 inches to about 8 inches.

Such dimensions for center piece 44 are particularly useful when pillow10 includes a well 16 having a diameter of about 4 inches to about 12inches, in some cases from about 4 inches to about 8 inches, and inother cases from about 5.5 inches to about 6.5 inches when the ends ofthe arms 18 and 20 are touching. The vertical height of the medialregion 15 (when the pillow is lying flat) may be in the range from about4 inches to about 10 inches, and in some cases from about 4 inches toabout 5.5 inches. The height of the arms 18 and 20 at their ends 22 and24 may be in the range from about 1 inch to about 6 inches, and morepreferably from about 2 inches to about 4 inches. The horizontalthickness of the arms 18 and 20 and medial region 15 (when the pillow islying flat) may be in the range from about 4 inches to about 10 inches,and in some cases from about 4 inches to about 8 inches. The innerperiphery of the pillow may be in the range from about 15 inches toabout 45 inches, and in some cases from about 22 to about 30 inches, andin some cases about 26 inches. The outer periphery of the pillow may bein the range from about 54 inches to about 74 inches and in some casesabout 64 inches.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the increased width at center section 54permits center panel 44 to extend up the inner periphery 14 and onto thetop and bottom surfaces at medial region 15. This configuration permitsarms 18 and 20 to be extended from each other as described herein. Also,such a configuration substantially prevents bunching or buckling of thefabric of top and bottoms pieces 40 and 42 at medial region, even whenarms 18 and 20 are opened such that they are generally perpendicular tomedial region 15.

In some cases, pillow 10 may be constructed so that center panel 44 isfabricated of both a stretchable material and a shape having a widththat increases at medial region 15. Also, in some cases, center panel 44could be constructed partially of a stretchable material and anon-stretchable material.

Center panel 44 permits pillow to be used both with infants and adults.Center panel 44 allows arms 18 and 20 to be easily separated and placedaround the user's waist while still providing a sufficient inward forceto clamp the pillow about the user's waist. In some cases, arms 18 and20 may be separated to such a degree that pillow 10 forms a straightline. However, when released, the arms 18 and 20 still spring back totheir original position.

Pillow 10 may also be used in combination with a removable slip cover.The slipcover may be constructed in a manner similar to cover 34, withan opening to permit it to be placed over pillow 10. Such an openingcould be placed in top piece 40 or bottom piece 42, and in some cases,at the outer periphery 12. Also, one or more fasteners may be used toclose the opening, such as a zipper, snaps, buttons, a hook and loopfastener material and the like.

The pillows of the invention may be used with center panels having awide variety of shapes. Examples of such center panels are shown inFIGS. 5-9. Shown in FIG. 5 is a center panel 58 having ends 60 and 62and a center section 64. Center panel 58 tapers outward along generallystraight lines as the width increases at center section 64. As such,center section 64 has somewhat of a diamond shape.

FIG. 6 illustrates a center panel 66 having ends 68 and 70 and a centersection 72. Panel 66 is similar to panel 58 except that center section64 does not include points at its widest portion.

FIG. 7 illustrates a center panel 74 having ends 76 and 78 and a centersection 80 which may be circular, elliptical or generally curved ingeometry. Also, center panel 74 may be constructed of multiple pieces offabric.

FIG. 8 illustrates a center panel 82 having ends 84 and 86 and a centersection 88. Panel 82 increases in width from ends 84 and 86 to centersection 88 to form a point at center section 88. Also, the edges ofpanel 82 curve inward at center section 88.

FIG. 9 illustrates a center panel 92 having ends 94 and 96 and a centersection 98. The edges of center panel curve outward at center section 98to form a gently curved surface at center section 98.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate the use of support pillow 10 to facilitatebreast feeding or bottle feeding of a baby. To do so, pillow 10 may beplaced about the torso and may conveniently rest on the legs. The babymay then be held on medial region 15 while feeding or holding the baby.

FIG. 12 is illustrates the use of support pillow 10 to maintain a babyin a sitting position. As shown, the baby is placed within well region16, with the arms 18 and 20 and medial region 15 holding the babyupright. If needed, arms 18 and 20 may be separated to fit around thebaby, while still being sufficiently resilient to snugly fit around thebaby.

The invention has now been described in detail for purposes of clarityand understanding. However, it will be appreciated that certain changesand modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appendedclaims.

1. A support pillow, comprising: a pillow body having a medial regionand two opposing arms that form a well region, a first side and a secondside, wherein the pillow body further includes an outer periphery and aninner periphery outlining the well region, wherein the pillow bodyfurther comprises a fill material and a cover enveloping the fillmaterial, wherein the cover comprises: a main section that extends aboutthe first and second sides and the outer periphery, and a center panelcoupled to the main section so as to be located along the innerperiphery, wherein the center panel is constructed of a stretchablematerial and has variable outer dimensions; wherein the center panel isconfigured to stretch an amount that is in the range from about 15% toabout 40% to permit the arms to be separated sufficiently to be placedaround an adult while permitting the arms to spring back so that ends ofthe arms are generally adjacent to each other.
 2. A pillow as in claim1, wherein the main section comprises a pair of fabric pieces that aresewn together at the outer periphery, and wherein the center panel issewn to the pair of fabric pieces.
 3. A pillow as in claim 1, whereinthe stretchable material is selected from a group consisting of atwo-way stretch material, a four-way stretch material, a stretch twill,and a stretch cotton.
 4. A pillow as in claim 1, wherein the stretchablematerial is configured to stretch an amount that is in the range fromabout 20% to about 35%.
 5. A pillow as in claim 1, wherein the centerpanel has a length aligned with the inner periphery and a width that isperpendicular to the length, and wherein the width is larger at themedial region than at the opposing arms.
 6. A pillow as in claim 5,wherein the width of the center panel at the medial region is in therange from about 2.5 inches to about 7.5 inches.
 7. A pillow as in claim6, wherein the length of the center panel is in the range from about 20inches to about 28 inches, and wherein the width of the center panelalong the opposing arms is in the range from about 1 inch to about 3.5inches.
 8. A pillow as in claim 1, wherein the center panel isconfigured such that the pillow body is openable so that the arms aregenerally aligned with each other and such that the arms will springback to within about 8 inches of each other.
 9. A pillow as in claim 1,wherein the well has a diameter in the range from about 4 inches toabout 12 inches when the arms are touching.
 10. A pillow as in claim 1,wherein the center panel is configured to permit the arms to beseparated so as to be at least perpendicular to the medial region withessentially no buckling of the main section of the cover.
 11. A pillowas in claim 5, wherein the width of the center panel begins to increasewithin about 4 inches from the ends of the stretch panel.
 12. A supportpillow comprising: a pillow body having a medial region and two opposingarms that form a well region, a first side and a second side, whereinthe pillow body further includes an outer periphery and an innerperiphery outlining the well region, wherein the pillow body furthercomprises a fill material and a cover enveloping the fill material,wherein the cover comprises: a main section that extends about the firstand second sides and the outer periphery, and a center panel coupled tothe main section so as to be located along the inner periphery, whereinthe center panel has a length aligned with the inner periphery and awidth that is perpendicular to the length, and wherein the width of thecenter panel is greater at the medial region than along the arms,wherein the center panel is configured to stretch an amount that is inthe range from about 15% to about 40% to permit the arms to be separatedsufficiently to be placed around an adult while permitting the arms tospring back so that ends of the arms are generally adjacent to eachother.
 13. A pillow as in claim 12, wherein the center panel isconstructed of a stretchable material.
 14. A pillow as in claim 13,wherein the stretchable material is selected from a group consisting ofa two-way stretch material, a four-way stretch material, a stretchtwill, and a stretch cotton.
 15. A pillow as in claim 12, wherein themain section comprises a pair of fabric pieces that are sewn together atthe outer periphery, and wherein the center panel is sewn to the pair offabric pieces.
 16. A pillow as in claim 13, wherein the stretchablematerial is configured to stretch an amount that is in the range fromabout 20% to about 35%.
 17. A pillow as in claim 12, wherein the widthof the stretch panel at the medial region is in the range from about 2.5inches to about 7.5 inches.
 18. A pillow as in claim 17, wherein thelength of the center panel is in the range from about 20 inches to about28 inches, and wherein the width of the center panel along the opposingarms is in the range from about 1 inch to about 3.5 inches.
 19. A pillowas in claim 12, wherein the center panel is configured such that thepillow body is openable so that the arms are generally aligned with eachother and such that the arms will spring back to within about 8 inchesof each other.
 20. A pillow as in claim 12, wherein the well has adiameter in the range from about 4 inches to about 12 inches when thearms are touching.
 21. A pillow as in claim 12, wherein the centralpanel is configured to permit the arms to be separated so as to be atleast perpendicular to the medial region with essentially no buckling ofthe main section of the cover.
 22. A pillow as in claim 12, wherein thewidth of the center panel begins to increase within about 4 inches fromthe ends of the stretch panel.
 23. A method for using a support pillow,comprising: providing a support pillow comprising: a pillow body havinga medial region and two opposing arms that form a well region, a firstside and a second side, wherein the pillow body further includes anouter periphery and an inner periphery outlining the well region,wherein the pillow body further comprises a fill material and a coverenveloping the fill material, wherein the cover comprises: a mainsection that extends about the first and second sides and the outerperiphery, and a stretch panel coupled to the main section so as to belocated along the inner periphery, wherein the stretch panel isconstructed of a stretchable material and has a width that increases atthe medial region; separating the arms from each other such that thestretch panel stretches an amount that is in the range from about 15% toabout 40%; and placing the support pillow about a user's torso.